A/D converter and solid-state camera

ABSTRACT

A signal from a photodiode (PD) is supplied to an A/D converter circuit ( 30 ) through an integrator ( 10 ) and a switch circuit ( 20 ). An amplifier circuit ( 40 ) amplifies a residue in A/D conversion, and the amplified residue (analog value) is supplied to the A/D converter circuit ( 30 ) through the switch circuit ( 20 ) and converted to a digital value by the A/D converter circuit ( 30 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an A/D conversion apparatus which converts an analog value into a digital value, and a solid-state image sensing apparatus including the A/D conversion apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A solid-state image sensing apparatus comprises a plurality of photodetectors arrayed one- or two-dimensionally, and an integrating circuit which converts a current output from each photodetector into a voltage. In the solid-state image sensing apparatus, currents of values corresponding to incident light intensities are output from the respective photodetectors. Voltages of values corresponding to the current values are output from the integrating circuit. An incident light intensity distribution is obtained based on the voltage values to sense an image.

[0003] Some solid-state image sensing apparatuses further comprise an A/D conversion circuit which converts a voltage value (analog value) output from the integrating circuit into a digital value. In this case, the incident light intensity is obtained as a digital value and can undergo image processing by a computer or the like.

[0004] In general, demands have arisen for increasing the A/D conversion processing speed including that for the solid-state image sensing apparatus. For example, in an A/D conversion apparatus described in reference 1 (Yuh-Min Lee, et al., “A 13-b 2.5-MHz Self-Calibrated Pipelined A/D Converter In 3-μm CMOS”, IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Vol. 26, No. 4, pp. 628-636 (1991)), a plurality of sets each made up of a sample-and-hold circuit, A/D conversion circuit, D/A conversion circuit, and amplifier circuit are cascade-connected.

[0005] In a given set of the A/D conversion apparatus, an analog value output from the sample-and-hold circuit is converted into a digital value by the A/D conversion circuit, and the digital value is converted into an analog value by the D/A conversion circuit. The difference between the analog values respectively output from the sample-and-hold circuit and D/A conversion circuit is amplified by the amplifier circuit. The amplified difference (analog value) is input to the sample-and-hold circuit of the next set. This A/D conversion apparatus increases the speed by pipeline processing.

[0006] In an A/D conversion apparatus described in reference 2 (Steven Decker, et al., “A 256×256 CMOS Imaging Array with Wide Dynamic Range Pixels and Column-Parallel Digital Output”, IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Vol. 33, No. 12, pp. 2081-2091 (1998)), two sets each made up of a comparison circuit (1-bit A/D conversion circuit), amplifier circuit (amplification factor: 2), and addition circuit are arranged in a loop.

[0007] In a given set of this A/D conversion apparatus, an input analog value is converted into a 1-bit digital value by the comparison circuit, and the digital value is amplified twice by the amplifier circuit. A predetermined analog value is added to or subtracted from the analog value output from the amplifier circuit in accordance with a 1-bit digital value output from the comparison circuit. The resultant value is output to the next set.

[0008] The A/D conversion apparatus realizes a small circuit scale as a whole by downsizing the circuit scales of the comparison circuit, amplifier circuit, and addition circuit of each set and repetitively operating the two sets arranged in a loop.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0009] The A/D conversion apparatus described in reference 1 achieves a high speed by the pipeline arrangement. As the number of bits of a digital value becomes larger, the circuit scale becomes larger. The A/D conversion apparatus must be equipped not only with the A/D conversion circuit but also with the D/A conversion circuit, which increases the circuit scale. Further, the precision of the obtained digital value is influenced by a D/A conversion error.

[0010] The A/D conversion apparatus described in reference 2 attains a small circuit scale as a whole by downsizing the scale of each circuit of each set and arranging the two sets in a loop. However, a signal passes through the number of sets of comparison circuits, amplifier circuits, and addition circuits corresponding to the number of bits of a digital value. The precision of the obtained digital value is greatly influenced by an error of each circuit of each set. If the operation characteristics of the comparison circuit, amplifier circuit, and addition circuit mismatch in each set, this mismatch also influences the precision of the obtained digital value.

[0011] The present invention has been made to overcome the conventional drawbacks, and has as its object to provide an A/D conversion apparatus with a small circuit scale and a small A/D conversion error, and a solid-state image sensing apparatus including the A/D conversion apparatus.

[0012] An A/D conversion apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that a difference between a first analog value input to an A/D conversion circuit and a second analog value corresponding to a digital value output from the A/D conversion circuit is amplified, and the amplified difference is fed back as a third analog value to an input terminal of the A/D conversion circuit after input of the first analog value.

[0013] The A/D conversion apparatus is characterized by comprising a connection switching circuit which selectively inputs either of the first and third analog values to the A/D conversion circuit.

[0014] In other words, the A/D conversion apparatus comprises (A) a connection switching circuit which has first, second, and third terminals and connects either the first or second terminal to the third terminal, (B) an A/D conversion circuit which receives an analog value from the third terminal of the connection switching circuit, converts the analog value to a digital value, and outputs the digital value, (C) an amplifier circuit which amplifies a difference between an analog value corresponding to the digital value output from the A/D conversion circuit and the analog value input to the A/D conversion circuit, and outputs the amplified analog value to the second terminal of the connection switching circuit, and (D) control means for controlling switching of connection between the first, second, and third terminals of the connection switching circuit.

[0015] In the A/D conversion apparatus, an analog value input to the first terminal of the connection switching circuit is input to the A/D conversion circuit via the third terminal under the control of the control means. The analog value is converted into a digital value by the A/D conversion circuit, and the digital value is output from the A/D conversion circuit.

[0016] To obtain a digital value of a larger number of bits, the difference between an analog value corresponding to the digital value output from the A/D conversion circuit and an analog value input to the A/D conversion circuit is amplified by the amplifier circuit. The amplified analog value is input to the A/D conversion circuit via the second and third terminals of the connection switching circuit. The analog value is converted into a digital value (corresponding to lower bits than a previously output digital value) by the A/D conversion circuit. The digital value is output from the A/D conversion circuit. This operation may be repeated.

[0017] The A/D conversion apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the A/D conversion circuit outputs the digital value of n bits (n is an integer of 1 or more), and the amplifier circuit amplifies the difference by 2^(n). In this case, A/D conversion processing is most efficiently performed.

[0018] A solid-state image sensing apparatus which senses an object is characterized by comprising (A) a photodetector which outputs a current of a value corresponding to an incident light intensity, (B) an integrating circuit which receives and integrates the current output from the photodetector, and outputs a voltage of a value corresponding to the current value, and (C) the A/D conversion apparatus which receives the voltage output from the integrating circuit and converts the voltage value into a digital value.

[0019] According to the solid-state image sensing apparatus, a current of a value corresponding to the incident light intensity in the photodetector is output from the photodetector and integrated by the integrating circuit. A voltage of a value corresponding to the current value is output from the integrating circuit. The voltage value (analog value) output from the integrating circuit is converted into a digital value by the A/D conversion apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a solid-state image sensing apparatus 1 including an A/D conversion apparatus according to an embodiment;

[0021]FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an integrating circuit 10;

[0022]FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an A/D conversion circuit 30;

[0023]FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a variable capacitance section C₃₀₀ of the A/D conversion circuit 30;

[0024]FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing an amplifier circuit 40; and

[0025]FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, 6G, 6H, 6I, 6J, and 6K are timing charts for explaining the operation of the solid-state image sensing apparatus 1.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0026] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same parts, and a repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

[0027]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a solid-state image sensing apparatus 1 including an A/D conversion apparatus according to the embodiment. The solid-state image sensing apparatus 1 comprises M (M is an integer of 1 or more) units 100 _(l) to 100 _(M) and a control circuit 200. The units 100 _(m) (m is an arbitrary integer of 1 (inclusive) to M (inclusive)) have the same arrangement. Each unit comprises a plurality of sets of photodiodes (photodetectors) PD and switches SW, an integrating circuit 10, a connection switching circuit 20, an A/D conversion circuit 30, an amplifier circuit 40, and a switch SW₅.

[0028] The A/D conversion apparatus according to the embodiment includes the connection switching circuit 20, A/D conversion circuit 30, amplifier circuit 40, and control circuit 200.

[0029] In each unit 100 _(m), each photodiode PD has an anode terminal grounded, and a cathode terminal connected to the input terminal of the integrating circuit 10 via a corresponding switch SW. The photodiode PD outputs a current corresponding to the incident light intensity to the integrating circuit 10. The integrating circuit 10 of each unit 100 _(m) receives and integrates the current output from the photodiode PD, and outputs a voltage of a value A₁ corresponding to the current value to the connection switching circuit 20.

[0030] The connection switching circuit 20 of each unit 100 _(m) has first, second, and third terminals 20 a, 20 b, and 20 c. A switch SW₂₁ is interposed between the first and third terminals 20 a and 20 c, whereas a switch SW₂₂ is interposed between the second and third terminals 20 b and 20 c.

[0031] The first terminal 20 a is connected to the output terminal of the integrating circuit 10; the second terminal 20 b, to the output terminal of the amplifier circuit 40; and the third terminal 20 c, to the input terminal of the A/D conversion circuit 30. The connection switching circuit 20 closes either the switch SW₂₁ or SW₂₂ to connect the output terminal of either the integrating circuit 10 or amplifier circuit 40 to the input terminal of the A/D conversion circuit 30.

[0032] The A/D conversion circuit 30 of each unit 100 _(m) receives a voltage output from the third terminal 20 c of the connection switching circuit 20. A voltage value (analog value) A₂ input to the A/D conversion circuit 30 is the voltage value A₁ output from the integrating circuit 10 or a voltage value A₄ output from the amplifier circuit 40 in accordance with opening/closing of the switches SW₂₁ and SW₂₂ of the connection switching circuit 20.

[0033] The A/D conversion circuit 30 converts the input voltage value A₂ into an n-bit (n is an integer of 1 or more) digital value D, and outputs the digital value D to the switch SW₅. The A/D conversion circuit 30 outputs an analog value A₃ to the amplifier circuit 40 in accordance with the difference between an analog value A₀ corresponding to the digital value D output from the A/D conversion circuit 30 and the analog value A₂ input to the A/D conversion circuit 30.

[0034] The amplifier circuit 40 of each unit 100 _(m) amplifies the difference between the analog value corresponding to the digital value output from the A/D conversion circuit 30 and the analog value A₂ input to the A/D conversion circuit 30 on the basis of the analog value A₃ output from the A/D conversion circuit 30. The amplifier circuit 40 outputs the amplified analog value A₄ to the second terminal 20 b of the connection switching circuit 20.

[0035] One terminal of the switch SW₅ of each unit 100 _(m) is connected to the output terminal of the A/D conversion circuit 30, and its other terminal is shared with the remaining switches SW₅. By sequentially closing the switches SW₅, digital values D output from corresponding A/D conversion circuits 30 are output to the outside of the units 100 _(m).

[0036] The control circuit 200 controls the overall operation of the solid-state image sensing apparatus 1. The control circuit 200 controls opening/closing of the switch SW₅ and the switches in the connection switching circuit 20. In addition, the control circuit 200 controls opening/closing of switches between the photodiodes PD and the integrating circuit 10, switches (not shown) in the A/D conversion circuit 30, and switches (not shown) in the amplifier circuit 40.

[0037]FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the integrating circuit 10. In the integrating circuit 10, an amplifier A₁₁, capacitor C₁₁, and switch SW₁₁ are parallel-arranged between the input and output terminals. The capacitor C₁₁ is interposed between the input and output terminals of the amplifier A₁₁, and accumulates a current, i.e., charges input to the input terminal when the switch SW₁₁ is open.

[0038] The switch SW₁₁ is interposed between the input and output terminals of the amplifier A₁₁. When the switch SW₁₁ is open, charges are accumulated in the capacitor C₁₁; when the switch SW₁₁ is closed, charges accumulated in the capacitor C₁₁ are reset.

[0039]FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing the A/D conversion circuit 30. The A/D conversion circuit 30 comprises a variable-capacitance integrating circuit 310, comparison circuit 320, and capacitance controller 330. The variable-capacitance integrating circuit 310 comprises a capacitor C₃₀₁, amplifier A₃₀₁, variable capacitance section C₃₀₀, and switch SW₃₀₁.

[0040] The amplifier A₃₀₁ receives a voltage value (analog value) A₂ output from the third terminal 20 c of the connection switching circuit 20 at its an inverting input terminal via the capacitor C₃₀₁. The non-inverting input terminal of the amplifier A₃₀₁ is grounded. The variable capacitance section C₃₀₀ has a variable capacitance which can be controlled. The variable capacitance section C₃₀₀ is interposed between the inverting input terminal and output terminal of the amplifier A₃₀₁, and accumulates charges in accordance with the input voltage value A₂.

[0041] The switch SW₃₀₁ is interposed between the inverting input terminal and output terminal of the amplifier A₃₀₁. When the switch SW₃₀₁ is open, charges are accumulated in the variable capacitance section C₃₀₀; when the switch SW₃₀₁ is closed, charges accumulated in the variable capacitance section C₃₀₀ are reset. The variable-capacitance integrating circuit 310 receives the voltage value A₂ output from the connection switching circuit 20, integrates the voltage value A₂ in accordance with the capacitance of the variable capacitance section C₃₀₀, and outputs a voltage as the integration result.

[0042] The comparison circuit 320 receives the voltage output from the variable-capacitance integrating circuit 310 at its inverting input terminal, and inputs a predetermined reference voltage value V_(ref) to a non-inverting input terminal. The comparison circuit 320 compares the two voltage values, and outputs a signal representing the comparison result. The capacitance controller 330 receives a signal output from the comparison circuit 320, and outputs a capacitance designation signal C for controlling the capacitance of the variable capacitance section C₃₀₀ on the basis of the signal. If the voltage value and reference voltage value V_(ref) are determined based on this signal to coincide with each other at a predetermined resolution, the capacitance controller 330 outputs a digital value D corresponding to the capacitance value of the variable capacitance section C₃₀₀.

[0043] A voltage output from the variable-capacitance integrating circuit 310 to the comparison circuit 320 is also output as a voltage value A₃ to the amplifier circuit 40. The voltage value A₃ is obtained by adding the reference voltage value V_(ref) to the difference between the analog value A₀ corresponding to the digital value D output from the A/D conversion circuit 30 and the analog value A₂ input to the A/D conversion circuit 30 (A₂−A₀+V_(ref)).

[0044]FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the variable capacitance section C₃₀₀ of the A/D conversion circuit 30. The variable capacitance section C₃₀₀ comprises capacitors C₃₁₁ to C₃₁₄, switches SW₃₁₁ to SW₃₁₄, and switches SW₃₂₁ to SW₃₂₄. The capacitor C_(31n) and switch SW_(31n) are cascade-connected to each other, and interposed between the inverting input terminal and output terminal of the amplifier A₃₀₁. The switch SW_(32n) is interposed between the ground, and the node between the capacitor C_(31n) and the switch SW_(31 n) (n=1 to 4).

[0045] The switches SW₃₁₁ to SW₃₁₄ and SW₃₂₁ to SW₃₂₄ are opened/closed on the basis of the capacitance designation signal C output from the capacitance controller 330. The capacitance values of the capacitors C₃₀₁ and C₃₁₁ to C₃₁₄ satisfy

C₃₁₁=2C₃₁₂=4C₃₁₃=8C₃₁₄  (1a)

C₃₀₁=15C₃₁₄  (1b)

[0046] The capacitance value of the variable capacitance section C₃₀₀ depends on the opening/closing states of the switches SW₃₁₁ to SW₃₁₄ and SW₃₂₁ to SW₃₂₄. More specifically, when all the switches SW₃₁₁ to SW₃₁₄ are closed and all the switches SW₃₂₁ to SW₃₂₄ are open, the capacitance value of the variable capacitance section C₃₀₀ is a maximum value of 15C₃₁₄.

[0047] If only the switch SW₃₁₄ out of the switches SW₃₁₁ to SW₃₁₄ is open and only the switch SW₃₂₄ out of the switches SW₃₂₁ to SW₃₂₄ is closed, the capacitance value of the variable capacitance section C₃₀₀ is 14C₃₁₄. If only the switch SW₃₁₃ out of the switches SW₃₁₁ to SW₃₁₄ is open and only the switch SW₃₂₃ out of the switches SW₃₂₁ to SW₃₂₄ is closed, the capacitance value of the variable capacitance section C₃₀₀ is 13C₃₁₄.

[0048] If only the switches SW₃₁₄ and SW₃₁₃ out of the switches SW₃₁₁ to SW₃₁₄ are open and only the switches SW₃₂₄ and SW₃₂₃ out of the switches SW₃₂₁ to SW₃₂₄ are closed, the capacitance value of the variable capacitance section C₃₀₀ is 12C₃₁₄. In this way, the capacitance value of the variable capacitance section C₃₀₀ takes any value of k·C₃₁₄ (k is an integer of 0 (inclusive) to 15 (inclusive)) depending on opening/closing of the switches SW₃₁₁ to SW₃₁₄ and SW₃₂₁ to SW₃₂₄.

[0049] In the A/D conversion circuit 30, the opening/closing state of each switch of the variable capacitance section C₃₀₀ (i.e., the capacitance value of the variable capacitance section C₃₀₀) is controlled by the capacitance controller 330 so as to minimize the absolute value of the difference between the reference voltage value V_(ref) and an output voltage value from the variable-capacitance integrating circuit 310 on the basis of an output value from the comparison circuit 320 in a feedback loop constituted by the variable-capacitance integrating circuit 310, comparison circuit 320, and capacitance controller 330.

[0050] When the absolute value of the difference is minimized, a 4-bit digital value D is output from the capacitance controller 330 in accordance with the opening/closing states of the four switches SW₃₁₁ to SW₃₁₄ of the variable capacitance section C₃₀₀. Further, a voltage value A₃ (=A₂−A₀+V_(ref)) is output from the variable capacitance section C₃₀₀.

[0051]FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing the amplifier circuit 40. In the amplifier circuit 40, a switch SW₄₂, capacitor C₄₂, switch SW₄₄, and amplifier A₄₁ are series-connected between input and output terminals. The node between the switch SW₄₂ and the capacitor C₄₂ receives a reference voltage value V_(ref) via a switch SW₄₃. The node between the capacitor C₄₂ and the switch SW₄₄ receives the reference voltage value V_(ref) via a switch SW₄₅.

[0052] A capacitor C₄₁ and switch SW₄₁ are parallel-connected between the inverting input terminal and output terminal of the amplifier A₄₁. The reference voltage value V_(ref) is supplied to the non-inverting input terminal of the amplifier A₄₁. The reference voltage value V_(ref) in the amplifier circuit 40 is equal to the reference voltage value V_(ref) input to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparison circuit 320 of the A/D conversion circuit 30.

[0053] The capacitor C₄₁ is interposed between the inverting input terminal and output terminal of the amplifier A₄₁. When the switch SW₄₁ is open, the capacitor C₄₁ accumulates a current, i.e., charges input from the input terminal via the capacitor C₄₂. The switch SW₄₁ is interposed between the inverting input terminal and output terminal of the amplifier A₄₁. When the switch SW₄₁ is open, charges are accumulated in the capacitor C₄₁; when the switch SW₄₁ is closed, charges accumulated in the capacitor C₄₁ are reset.

[0054] The amplifier circuit 40 receives the voltage value A₃ output from the A/D conversion circuit 30, and subtracts the reference voltage value V_(ref) from the voltage value A₃ in accordance with opening/closing of the switches SW₄₂ to SW₄₅ at predetermined timings. The amplifier circuit 40 calculates the difference (A₂−A₀) between the analog value A₀ corresponding to the digital value D output from the A/D conversion circuit 30 and the analog value A₂ input to the A/D conversion circuit 30. The amplifier circuit 40 amplifies this difference by a gain G corresponding to the ratio of the capacitance values of the capacitors C₄₂ and C₄₁. The amplifier circuit 40 outputs a voltage value A₄ (=G·(A₂−A₀) ) as the amplification result to the second terminal 20 b of the connection switching circuit 20.

[0055] When the A/D conversion circuit 30 outputs a 4-bit digital value D, A/D conversion processing becomes efficient for a gain G of 16 (=2⁴) in the amplifier circuit 40.

[0056] The operation of the solid-state image sensing apparatus 1 including the A/D conversion apparatus according to the embodiment will be explained. The solid-state image sensing apparatus 1 operates under the control of the control circuit 200. A case where the incident light intensity to each photodiode PD is output as a 12-bit digital value will be described.

[0057]FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, 6G, 6H, 6I, 6J, and 6K are timing charts for explaining the operation of the solid-state image sensing apparatus 1.

[0058] At time t1, the switch SW₁₁ of the integrating circuit 10 closes (FIG. 6B), the capacitor C₁₁ is discharged, and the voltage value A₁ output from the integrating circuit 10 is reset (FIG. 6C). In the interval between time t1 and time t2, the switch SW₂₁ of the connection switching circuit 20 is closed while the switch SW₂₂ is open (FIGS. 6D and 6E). The switch SW₃₀₁ of the variable-capacitance integrating circuit 310 of the A/D conversion circuit 30 is closed, and the variable capacitance section C₃₀₀ is discharged (FIG. 6F). All the switches SW₃₁₁ to SW₃₁₄ are closed, and all the switches SW₃₂₁ to SW₃₂₄ are opened.

[0059] The switch SW₁₁ of the integrating circuit 10 then opens (FIG. 6B), and the switch SW₃₀₁ of the variable-capacitance integrating circuit 310 of the A/D conversion circuit 30 opens (FIG. 6F). After the switch SW₁₁ of the integrating circuit 10 opens, the switch SW between the photodiode PD and the integrating circuit 10 temporarily closes and then opens (FIG. 6A). At time t2, the switch SW₂₁ of the connection switching circuit 20 opens (FIG. 6D).

[0060] In this manner, in the interval between time t1 and time t2, an amount of charges corresponding to the incident light intensity in the photodiode PD is accumulated in the capacitor C₁₁ of the integrating circuit 10. A voltage having the corresponding value A₁ is output from the integrating circuit 10, and input to the A/D conversion circuit 30 via the connection switching circuit 20. Charges corresponding to the voltage value A₁ (=A₂) are accumulated in the variable capacitance section C₃₀₀ of the variable-capacitance integrating circuit 310 of the A/D conversion circuit 30.

[0061] In the interval between time t2 and time t3, the A/D conversion circuit 30 executes A/D conversion processing. More specifically, the operation of the feedback loop formed from the variable-capacitance integrating circuit 310, comparison circuit 320, and capacitance controller 330 opens/closes each switch of the variable capacitance section C₃₀₀ of the variable-capacitance integrating circuit 310. The input voltage value (analog value) A₂ is converted into a 4-bit digital value (D₁₁ to D₈), which is output. The variable-capacitance integrating circuit 310 of the A/D conversion circuit 30 outputs the voltage value A₃ corresponding to the difference between the voltage value A₀ corresponding to the digital value D and the input voltage value A₂.

[0062] In the interval between time t3 and time t4, the switches SW₅ of the respective units 100 _(m) sequentially close. Digital values D output from the A/D conversion circuits 30 of the respective units 100 _(m) are sequentially output (FIG. 6G).

[0063] After time t3, the switch SW₄₁ of the amplifier circuit 40 is closed (FIG. 6H), the capacitor C₄₁ is discharged, and the voltage value A₄ output from the amplifier circuit 40 is reset. The switches SW₄₅ and SW₄₂ of the amplifier circuit 40 temporarily close and then open (FIG. 6I). After the switch SW₄₁ opens, the switches SW₄₃ and SW₄₄ temporarily close and then open (FIG. 6J). The switch SW₃₀₁ of the variable-capacitance integrating circuit 310 of the A/D conversion circuit 30 temporarily closes and then opens (FIG. 6F). The switch SW₂₂ of the connection switching circuit 20 temporarily closes and then opens (FIG. 6E).

[0064] In the interval between time t3 and time t4, the voltage value A₃ output from the A/D conversion circuit 30 is amplified 16 times by the amplifier circuit 40. The voltage value A₄ is output as the amplification result from the amplifier circuit 40, and input to the A/D conversion circuit 30 via the connection switching circuit 20 (FIG. 6K). Charges corresponding to the voltage value A₄ (=A₂) are accumulated in the variable capacitance section C₃₀₀ of the variable-capacitance integrating circuit 310 of the A/D conversion circuit 30.

[0065] In the interval between time t4 and time t5, the A/D conversion circuit 30 performs A/D conversion processing. The operation of the A/D conversion circuit 30 at this interval is the same as the operation in the interval between time t2 and time t3. Note that the voltage value A₂ input to the A/D conversion circuit 30 is the voltage value A₄ output from the amplifier circuit 40, which is obtained by multiplying by the gain G (=2⁴=16) the difference (A₂−A₀) between the analog value A₀ corresponding to the digital value D output from the A/D conversion circuit 30 and the analog value A₂ input to the A/D conversion circuit 30 in the interval between time t3 and time t4.

[0066] That is, A/D conversion processing in the A/D conversion circuit 30 in the interval between time t4 and time t5 processes any residual in the preceding A/D conversion processing in the interval between time t2 and time t3. Thus, a digital value (D₇ to D₄) output from the A/D conversion circuit 30 after time t5 corresponds to lower 4 bits than the preceding digital value (D₁₁ to D₈) output after time t3.

[0067] The subsequent operation is also the same. More specifically, the operation in the interval between time t5 and time t6 is the same as that in the interval between time t3 and time t4. The operation in the interval between time t6 and time t7 is the same as that in the interval between time t4 and time t5. A digital value (D₃ to D₀) output from the A/D conversion circuit 30 after time t7 corresponds to lower 4 bits than the preceding digital value (D₇ to D₄) output after time t5.

[0068] Even the A/D conversion circuit 30 which converts an analog value into a 4-bit digital value can obtain a 4k-bit (k is an integer of 2 or more) by arranging the connection switching circuit 20 and amplifier circuit 40, if necessary, inputting the residual of A/D conversion processing in the A/D conversion circuit 30 to the A/D conversion circuit 30 again, and repetitively performing A/D conversion processing.

[0069] In this embodiment, the A/D conversion circuit 30 outputs a 4-bit digital value though the number of bits of an output digital value is variable. This embodiment can omit a conventional D/A conversion circuit, and is suitable for arraying many units 100 ₁ to 100 _(M) with a small circuit scale.

[0070] This embodiment need not adopt any D/A conversion circuit, the precision of an obtained digital value is free from any influence of a D/A conversion error, and the A/D conversion error is small. This embodiment executes A/D conversion processing using charge conservation and increases the number of bits, which also reduces the A/D conversion error.

[0071] For example, when a moving picture must be sensed at a low precision but a high speed in the use of the solid-state image sensing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, the moving picture is sensed by decreasing the repetitive number of times of A/D conversion processing under the control of the control circuit 200. When a still picture must be sensed at a low speed but a high precision, the still picture is sensed by increasing the repetitive number of times of A/D conversion processing under the control of the control circuit 200. By controlling the repetitive number of times of A/D conversion, as needed, the image sensing operation speed or precision can be increased.

[0072] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified. For example, in the description of the operation according to the embodiment, a 12-bit digital value is obtained by repeating 4-bit A/D conversion processing three times. Alternatively, a 4-bit digital value may be obtained by performing A/D conversion processing only once, an 8-bit digital value may be obtained by performing A/D conversion processing twice, or a 16-bit digital value may be obtained by performing A/D conversion processing four times. In general, a 4k-bit digital value can be obtained by performing A/D conversion processing k times.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the A/D conversion circuit 30 outputs a 4-bit digital value by one A/D conversion processing. The A/D conversion circuit 30 may output a digital value of a different number of bits.

[0074] Industrial Applicability

[0075] The present invention can be applied to an A/D conversion apparatus which converts an analog value into a digital value, and a solid-state image sensing apparatus including the A/D conversion apparatus. 

1. (amended). An A/D conversion apparatus in which a difference between a first analog value input to an A/D conversion circuit and a second analog value corresponding to a digital value output from the A/D conversion circuit is amplified, and the amplified difference is fed back as a third analog value to an input terminal of the A/D conversion circuit after input of the first analog value, characterized by comprising: a variable-capacitance integrating circuit which accumulates charges in accordance with the input first analog signal; a comparison circuit which receives an output from said variable-capacitance integrating circuit and a reference voltage value; a capacitance controller which controls a capacitance value of said variable-capacitance integrating circuit, sets an amount corresponding to the capacitance value as the digital value, and when an output signal from said comparison circuit represents that the output from said variable-capacitance integrating circuit and the reference voltage value coincide with each other at a predetermined resolution, outputs the digital value; and an amplifier circuit which amplifies the output from said variable-capacitance integrating circuit that represents the difference between the first and second analog values after output of the digital value, and feeds the amplified output as the third analog value to the input terminal of the A/D conversion circuit.
 2. An A/D conversion apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by comprising a connection switching circuit which selectively inputs either of the first and third analog values to the A/D conversion circuit.
 3. An A/D conversion apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the A/D conversion circuit outputs the digital value of n bits (n is an integer of not less than 1), and a factor of the amplification is 2^(n).
 4. (amended). A solid-state image sensing apparatus comprising the A/D conversion apparatus defined in claim 1, characterized in that an output from an integrating circuit connected to a plurality of photodetectors is input as the first analog value to the A/D conversion circuit. 